Durham College hosts events to empower and inspire Black students

This spring, Durham College (DC) welcomed hundreds of elementary students from the Durham District School Board (DDSB) to campus for two inspiring events; The Cypher: Black Male Empowerment Conference and Empower Her, dedicated to Black female students.

Each event served as an invaluable opportunity for young Black students from Grades 6 to 8 to celebrate their identity and culture while getting a glimpse of what the future might hold. They spent their time at DC immersed in workshops and engaging with entrepreneurs, community leaders, and organizations, enjoying thought-provoking discussions, networking opportunities and moments of connection.

“It was wonderful to welcome these young Kings and Queens to our campus,” said Dr. Sadie Goddard-Durant, Director of DC’s Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. “Through our collaboration with DDSB, we sought to enable them to curate a safe space for young students to reflect on how they embody Black Excellence, and a how post-secondary education might factor into that. We’d love to see them again at DC!”

The Cypher: Black Male Empowerment Conference
“The Cypher is really about creating opportunities for young Black males to see themselves represented in a variety of different ways,” explained Sean McCormack, event Co-Chair.

Each year, the event empowers young Black males to be leaders and allows their skills and passions to shine, according to Cypher Co-Chair Lynda Dortelus.

“I want them to see themselves as rising kings,” she said. “It doesn't matter what you do in life, you will rise up and you will overcome whatever barriers that are coming your way because you're capable, and because there are Black kings out there that have done the same.”

That powerful message was embraced by students like Shemar Burke from Oshawa’s Sunset Heights Public School and Elijah Carrington from Bellwood Public School in Whitby. By the end of the eventful day, they were both thinking about their futures in post-secondary education.

“I don't really know about colleges, but now that I've had a look around, I will consider DC. It was really fun here,” said Shemar.

“It feels like college is a place where you can relax and have freedom,” added Elijah.

Empower Her Conference
The success of the Cypher event naturally led to interest in a similar event for young Black girls. Empower Her launched in 2019, and this was the event’s second year at DC.

The goal of the event is to help Black girls recognize their strength, identity, and potential. This year’s theme, ‘Queens Rising,’ emphasized the inherent power and dignity of each participant. The conference promotes high expectations, goal setting, and self-awareness, equipping attendees with tools to navigate their academic and personal futures with confidence and purpose.

“This is an event that is meant to inspire young girls to think about how they can use their voice, their lived experiences, and dream big in order to create a bright future,” said Kerron Slack, Vice-Principal at Maamawi iyaawag Public School in Oshawa.

The participating students met a wide range of successful professionals, from doctors and lawyers to hairdressers, dancers, choreographers and singers.

“It allows you to really connect with your sisters, which is other Black females, and create some lasting relationships as well.”

Those opportunities were embraced by all of the students, including Saige Brown and Olivia Persaud from Fallingbrook Public School in Whitby.

“In the jewelry making workshop, we were talking to this girl who is a Black entrepreneur,” said Saige. “She started making jewelry, and she goes to different trade shows. It was very nice to see someone close to our age doing something that we could possibly do.”

“I would recommend this event because you get to meet new people and do fun activities,” added Olivia.